Top 5 Tools for Impressive (and Easy) Vlogging

Video blogging (also known as “vlogging”) can be an overwhelming idea for those who’ve never tried it before. The excuses are endless.

“I hate being on camera.”

“I don’t know how to edit.”

“I don’t own any equipment.”

“I don’t have anything interesting to say.”

Regardless of what your excuse is, video is one of the most attention-grabbing mediums of online content creation. If you want to better the chances of catching the eye of your audience, you’re going to need to get visual. Plus, it’s really not that hard (said the girl who makes 4-8 videos per week).

Here are my top 5 tools that help me create impressive vlogs without a whole lot of work.

1. Screencast-O-Matic

The beauty of this product is that you can make your first vlog without even owning a camera. Screencast-O-Matic is a program that records the activity of your computer screen with just a couple clicks and no software to download. This is a perfect alternative for a “how-to” post because instead of reading instructions, your audience can just watch and learn. I also really love to use this tool for recording Skype interviews which are also a super easy way to create content while still giving your audience a great experience.

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2. YouTube MP3 Podcaster

Ever wonder how someone got a copy of a YouTube video and then edited it into their own? If you are interested being the next Ray William Johnson and vlogging of your favorite online videos, you’re going to love this add-on for Firefox. YouTube MP3 Podcaster downloads directly to Firefox which will add buttons underneath every YouTube video you ever watch on the browser. These buttons will give you different options of downloading that content, whether you want the Full HD version or just an MP3 of the audio. Download this free plugin and start saving videos to your computer right away.

3. iRig Mic and iMovie Editing for iPhone

Sometimes all you need is your iPhone. You might already know that your phone can take great quality video and upload directly to YouTube. But maybe you want to make your vlogs a little more impressive than just the average home video. The iRig microphone is a must if you want good audio (and any video is only as good as its audio). This will not only give you a professional image of a microphone, but the iRig has a range of settings for whatever situation you find yourself filming in. Just check out the demo video from Amazon to see how versatile it is with different atmospheres. After you film some footage with your awesome audio, throw it into the iMovie iPhone app ($4.99 in the App Store) and add some titles, background music, or transitions for multiple clips. Dang. You just made a sweet video with just your phone.

4. Google Plus Live Hangouts

The Google Plus social network has made it very easy to create panel or interview-type video without lifting very many fingers. All you need to do is have an account with Google Plus, start a “Hangout” video conferencing session, and enable “Hangouts On Air”. Once you start the broadcast, it will be public for people to watch and a recording will go straight to your corresponding YouTube account. Bam! Content.

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5. Corel Video Studio

If you want to to take it to the next level with your video editing without being completely overwhelmed, you’ll definitely want to try Corel Video Studio ($79.95 for the software download). This is totally affordable editing software that has just enough capability to make you feel like a pro, without making you pull your hair out trying to navigate. It comes with a lot of great royalty-free music and sounds, giving you even less work to do for an impressive video. To make it even simpler, you can upload straight to Facebook and YouTube from the program!

What are some great tools you’ve use to help make quality video content? Share them in the comments below.

3. Realize Loneliness Helps You Face the Truth

Being in the constant company of others, although comforting sometimes, can often serve as a distraction when we need to face the reality of a situation.

Solitude cuts straight to the chase and forces you to deal with the problem at hand. See it as a blessing that can serve as a catalyst to set things right!

4. Be Aware That You Have More Control Than You Think

Typically, when we see ourselves as being lost or lonely, it gives us an excuse to view everything we come in contact with in a negative light. It lends itself to putting ourselves in the victim mode, when the truth of the matter is that you choose your attitude in every situation.

No one can force a feeling upon you! It is YOU who has the ultimate say as to how you choose to react.

5. Embrace the Freedom That the Feeling of Being Alone Can Offer

Instead of wallowing in self pity, which many are prone to do because of loneliness, try looking at your circumstance as a new-found freedom.

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Most people are in constant need of approval of their viewpoints. Try enjoying the fact that you don’t need everyone you care about to support your decisions.

6. Acknowledge the Person You Are Now

Perhaps you feel a sense of loneliness and confusion because your life circumstances have taken you away from the persona that others know to be you.

Perhaps the new you differs radically from the old. Realize that life is about change and how we react to that change. It’s okay that you’re not who you used to be.

7. Keep Striving to Do Your Best

Often those who are feeling isolated and unto themselves will develop a defeatist attitude. They’ll do substandard work because their self esteem is low and they don’t care.

Never let this feeling take away your sense of worth! Do your best always and when you come through this dark time, others will admire how you stayed determined in spite of the obstacles you had to overcome.

8. Don’t Forget That Time Is Precious

When we’re lost in a sea of loneliness and depression, it’s all too easy to reflect on regrets of past life events. This does nothing but feed negativity and perpetuate the situation.

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Instead of falling prey to this common pitfall, put one foot in front of the other and acknowledge every positive step you take. By doing this, you can celebrate the struggles you overcome at the end of the day.

9. Remember, Things Happen for a Reason

Every circumstance we encounter in our life is designed to teach us and that lesson is in turn passed on to others.

Sometimes we’re fortunate enough to figure out the lesson to be learned, while other times, we simply need to have faith that if the lesson wasn’t meant directly for us to learn from, how we handled it was observed by someone who needed to learn.

Your solitude and feeling of lost, in this instance, although painful possibly, may be teaching someone else.

10. Journal During This Time

Record your thoughts when you’re at the height of loneliness and feeling lost. You’ll be amazed when you reflect back at how you viewed things at the time and how far you’ve come later.

This time (if recorded) can give you a keen insight into who you are and what makes you feel the way you feel.

11. Remember You Aren’t the First to Feel This Way

It’s quite common to feel as if we’re alone and no one else has ever felt this way before. We think this because at the time of our distress, we’re silently observing others around us who are seemingly fine in every way.

The truth is, we can’t possibly know the struggles of those around us unless they elect to share them. We ALL have known this pain!

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Try confiding in someone you trust and ask them how they deal with these feelings when they experienced it. You may be surprised at what you learn.

12. Ask for Help If the Problem Persists

The feeling of being lost and lonely is common to everyone, but typically it will last for a relatively short period of time.

Most people will confess to, at one time or another, being in a “funk.” But if the problem persists longer than you feel it should, don’t ignore it.

When your ability to reason and consider things rationally becomes impaired, do not poo poo the problem away and think it isn’t worthy of attention. Seek medical help.

Final Thoughts

Loneliness and a sense of feeling lost can in many ways be extremely painful and difficult to deal with at best. However, these feelings can also serve as a catalyst for change in our lives if we acknowledge them and act.

Above anything, cherish your mental well being and don’t underestimate its worth. Seek professional guidance if you’re unable to distinguish between a sense of freedom for yourself and a sense of despair.